Petrol hike should have been done in spread out manner: Sharad Pawar

MUMBAI: Agriculture minister Sharad Pawar has said that the UPA government could have managed the petroleum price hike in a better manner, to spread out the burden over a longer period of time.

On NCP's 13th anniversary, Pawar spoke on a range of issues, including Team Anna's allegations of corruption against him. He challenged his detractors to take him to court over corruption charges if they have proof.

Pawar attended various events in his home town of Baramati, and later in Mumbai, over the weekend, as part of party's anniversary celebrations.

Speaking to a group of media persons, Pawar said: "I had suggested to the government several times earlier in various meetings that prices of petrol should be increased by a little bit every time oil companies want a hike, otherwise we would reach a point where the prices will have to be hiked steeply and there will be an uproar over it.

The government did not want to take unpopular decisions so there was no hike. Unfortunately, my prediction came true and the situation became so bad that prices had to hiked recently by Rs 7.50 per litre. This could have been managed in a much better manner. Sometimes, the government has to take unpopular decisions so that in the long-term such shocks can be avoided."